HUMMERSKNOTT SCHOOL AND LANGUAGE COLLEGE in Durham, Darlington

Education Centre Information: Hummersknott School and Language College:

Establishment Type:Community School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Closed
Local Authority: Darlington
Reason Establishment Closed: Academy Converter
Establishment Close Date: 30/06/2011
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Does not apply
Total Pupils: 1221
Number of boys: 602
Number of girls: 619
Admissions: Comprehensive
Age Range: 11-16
Gender: Mixed
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Background:

Originally a girls' grammar, which occupied the current building from 1955, Hummersknott became an 11-16 co-educational comprehensive school in 1968. Approximately 65% of pupils transfer to the sixth form college each year. The school is situated in a 'very pleasant' residential area on the south-west outskirts of Darlington, with easy access to the Yorkshire Moors and Dales and the coast. 'Excellent' facilities include a technical studies block, sports hall, swimming pool, gymnasium, 10 laboratories, a resource centre, reading room, three computer suites and a business studies unit. The grounds are attractively laid out to form 'one of the most beautiful settings for a school in the country' with tennis courts, football and rugby pitches, hockey pitch and all weather pitch. A whole school computer network gives all staff and pupils access to e-mail and the internet. Hummersknott is a specialist language college, with 50% of pupils studying one language in Year 7 and 50% another, drawn from French, German and Spanish. Chinese is available from Year 8. More than 90% of pupils study a second language in Year 8 and about 25% study a third language in Year 9. All pupils spend at least two weeks on work experience in Year 10, and extra-curricular activities are a 'strong feature'. 'The school is welcoming and is imbued at all levels with a sense of equality, fairness and high expectations.' It is heavily over-subscribed.